The problem with this argument is that it empowers "creep" of restrictions.
To go along with your drinkng and drivng analogy: Not too long ago, .10 was the "legal limit" ....now it's .08. Why? Because if a little restriction is good, more is better. It's all for the public good. I'm sure you've seen the PSA-style commercials where the message is "Buzzed driving is drunk drivng". So....while it has not become "law" yet, the new "rule" is that .06, or .04, or whatever "buzzed" is, is now essentially the same as .09 or more. I"ll bet that within a few years, it will .05.
For many people, 2 beers in one hour will give one an "over the limit" BAC. For everyone, it's 3 (see this chart: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...blAUKntOaf40gHI3ICIDA&ved=0CDsQ9QEwBQ&dur=176 )
By your reasoning, this is an excellent plan. Because the potential of a drink driver is so great a threat that (currently) legal behavior should criminalized. So, the natural extention is that more restrictions are good.
If you not the topline on the chart....the only safe BAC is 0.00
The "just over the legal limit" is not the problem that caused the stop - it was the not stopping at the stop sign (as you say many do here in NE). So. The dangerous activity it what is engaged in by many - the stop sign violation. If he were over the limit, and stopped; waited three seconds and proceeded; there would be no issue, as he was not stopped for OUI, but for running the stop sign . Now, the fact that he's had a few may or may not have caused him to violate the law - but honestly, I see more people with cell phones doing it than drunks.
I occasionally use the cell in the car ( though I do try to limit it). Would you ban all cellhone use (as whether it's hands-free or not makes little difference in impairment) because of the potential for an accident? I've never had an accident caused by my cell-phone use - why should my essential liberties be constrainned by your perception of potential problems?
And, to delve into ancient history, this thread was about "proper" storage. Your version is "secured" in a certain way; you seem to think that your way is the only way. There is a continuum of risk.
This weekend I'll be at a place where there will be over 100 firearms, just standing around, in racks, with no locks. There will be people of all ages from 13 to 80 wandering about. Almost all of them will have ammo on their persons that will fit most of these guns. Is this an unsafe condition? I know that there will be at least one 13 yo (a child) because he's my kid; when he takes his gun to the line I will pay him no more attention than any other shooter (likely less, as I know his level of safety).
I anticipate no problems. But......is it possible that someone will take a gun without premission and use it? Yes.* Am I worried? No.
Would you be?
By the way, it's an ATA Trap shoot. I'm not worried about my guns being stolen, as there are much nicer ones left unattended - but those owners are not worried, either.
*Actually this happend to my son - an a-hole picked up his gun at a club we were vsiting, without permission, and took a few shots with it. My kid went out to say, "Excuse me....WTF?" (though politley, he's a gentleman) and the adult that took the gun said, "Is this your gun? You need to clean it," and walked off.
I agree with your assessment of the drinking/driving situation. Fortunately for me, I pretty much don't drink/drive at all anymore. What I was saying is that is how people are feeling about people drinking and driving, they think it is not something people NEED to do, and the deaths that result are needless. Other people feel that they MUST drink at a party, and then drive home. I am from Wisconsin, wanna make any guesses as to how I stand on having a few beers? But then there are those morons that have a few and then drive like lunatics.....
Cellphone Issue: You darn rootin tootin they should ban all cellphone use in a car, especially big butt trucks! Female drivers using a cell phone should get 2X the sentence in county jail. Female drivers under the age of 25 should get 3X the jail sentence! A FEDERAL law should be passed forcing automobile makers to put a device in cars that turns the cell phone off as soon as the ignition is turned on. Except my phone, I like my cell phone, I have hands free and rarely use it, never place a call, only answer incoming.
About the ATA event:
Nope, I would not be worried. I am a believer in the old saying "An armed society is a polite society." I would take a close look at the guns in the racks, I shoot a fairly pricey O&U, if there were other guns in the racks of similar value I would be comfortable, if there were a bunch of Montgomery Wards stuff in the racks, I think I would keep an eye on mine. Just because we all own guns doesn't mean some of us are not criminals.
About the guy that shot your son's gun: Truly an AHOLE! I shoot on Wednesday nights, most of us are happy to let someone shoot our guns if someone wants to try it out, all they need to do is ask. This usually happens when someone starts shopping for a new gun, nothing like being to actually try one before buying on a real range with real clays. After 25 birds, you got a good feel for the gun.